PENAMPANG: The Hongkod Koisaan Cultural Unity Centre was officially opened to the public by the Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA) here yesterday.
The cultural village, which has been the main venue of the annual Kaamatan (Harvest) festival since 1989, showcases and preserves the rich cultural heritage of the multi-tribal Kadazandusun people.
Deputy chief minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, who is also the Huguan Siou (Kadazandusun paramount leader), said the cultural village was opened as a visitor attraction due to keen interest shown by tourists eager to learn more about the lives of the Kadazandusun.
The village currently features 11 traditional houses, an Unduk Ngadau gallery, a gift shop, a mini-local restaurant and an open performance stage.
Pairin said the village is at its most resplendent during the Kaamatan festival.
"At the heart of the festival each year is (this village), where our Kadazandusun cultural heritage expresses itself.
"I would like to commend the KDCA management committee for turning this village (into) an educational centre for cultural tourism through the dances, music, handicrafts, exhibitions and traditional sporting matches of some of the 15 sub-tribes of the Kadazandusun community," he said during the launch.
Also present at the event was Sabah Tourism Board chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai.
Pairin added that the village and the festival have highlighted Sabah’s vibrant and diverse indigenous people to the world.
"I (also wish to) thank the Sabah state government for its continuous subsidy funding for the festival since 1960," he added.
The cultural village is open Tuesdays to Sundays, from 9am to 4pm.
The entrance fee is RM25 for Malaysians and RM35 for non-Malaysians.
For guided tours, prospective visitors must make a reservation through the KDCA or tour agents.